Since I don’t play for Taylor Swift, looks don’t matter. Since it doesn’t impact the functionality, it really doesn’t matter.
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Which J Bass should I consider???
- Thread starter PapaBearBass
- Start date
When you’re part of a show that has a theatrical element like Taylor Swift or Ghost, looks matter. I doubt Warren Haynes cares as much. I say this as a lover of both Ghost and Government Mule.
LOL same! Ghost is coming to town next month but I can't get anyone who can go with me on that date... may have to solo it. They/Tobias really has been cranking out the hits over the last few years. Really want to see the live show. The bass tone he's getting on his "Jesus Knows My Name" cover is straight up J-bass gnarly perfection.
Ghost reminds me of QOTSA in that they’re merging musical elements so that their audiences are composed of gnarled old metal freaks and fans of electronica and dance music. Another obvious similarity is that both bands revolve around the vision of a single person.
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Absolutely. They're quite adaptable, when you look back to when they broke (at least in the US) with the Grammy whenever that was, and how the styles have changed with each album/EP/cover/singles. Tobias is quite a talented dude for sure.
Sterling by musicman Ray34 HH copped a better jazz bass tone than many other jazz basses I’ve tried in both single coil settings ( switch positions 2 and 4).
super versatile bass
super versatile bass
Yeah my Special 5 HH in Pos. 2 and 4 for sure get that tone. I prefer 4 for clean and 2 for if I've got a drive pedal going.
If you're remotely handy and can do a basic setup (or know someone who can help), I am X2 on this route. My one & only bass for 2+ decades was a Warmoth steel-bar P neck + "day old bread" J body + a revolving set of pickups (who remembers dipswitch AJJ-1s? ha!). It always played perfectly, I never had to touch the truss rod, and it was ALWAYS in tune. I have more than one bass now, and it's STILL my #1 with a 6-bolt neckplate, Wilde Bill Lawrences and stack knobs. If you stay away from exotic electronics / woods / hardware, you can easily be turnkey within your price range. Option out a neck on the Warmoth site, at least, then wait for a fun body to pop up in the classifieds. If it's loaded, all the better - get it "back on the road" and change what you don't like.
If you need an "all put together" bass, I would suggest something with stiffening rods in the neck. An AM Standard / Player / Special or "Highway 1" (USA Fender) or something like that would qualify? Outside of that, I've tried Aerodynes and CIJ Jaguars which are pretty nice / have a lot of tonal options...the necks are just too "whippy" for me.
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NBD!!!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion. I learned a lot and I really appreciate all your input. I took lots of looks at brands and models, many I had never heard of before. I seriously considered the Sire V7, and the Sandberg Electra TT4. Both seemed like they were pretty close to what I was looking for.
However after hemming and hawing for almost 6 months, I pulled the trigger on a Sadowsky Metro Express Vintage JJ. I got a real good deal on Reverb from Music Makers in Galesburg, IL. Very helpful and shipping was fast and safe. Definitely check them out.
To be honest, I was apprehensive at first because I came across several reviews that panned the early run (the infamous RSD models) for bad fret work, messed up electronics, and bad shielding. I then learned that Sadowsky had partnered with Warwick to address these issues. In all fairness the RSD models coincided with COVID and the world was kind of F’d up at that point. I will say that whatever short comings the RSD models have, Sadowsky has straightened all that out and the one I got was absolutely killer.
I am in love with the roasted maple neck a which is velvety smooth. Fret work is perfect. Although it doesn’t have the VTC pre-amp it still sound strong and clear and deep and rich. Bridge pick up gives you that j bass honk. Passive mode sounds traditional. Active kicks it into high gear and gives you a powerful range of tones.
All in all I’m completely satisfied!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion. I learned a lot and I really appreciate all your input. I took lots of looks at brands and models, many I had never heard of before. I seriously considered the Sire V7, and the Sandberg Electra TT4. Both seemed like they were pretty close to what I was looking for.
However after hemming and hawing for almost 6 months, I pulled the trigger on a Sadowsky Metro Express Vintage JJ. I got a real good deal on Reverb from Music Makers in Galesburg, IL. Very helpful and shipping was fast and safe. Definitely check them out.
To be honest, I was apprehensive at first because I came across several reviews that panned the early run (the infamous RSD models) for bad fret work, messed up electronics, and bad shielding. I then learned that Sadowsky had partnered with Warwick to address these issues. In all fairness the RSD models coincided with COVID and the world was kind of F’d up at that point. I will say that whatever short comings the RSD models have, Sadowsky has straightened all that out and the one I got was absolutely killer.
I am in love with the roasted maple neck a which is velvety smooth. Fret work is perfect. Although it doesn’t have the VTC pre-amp it still sound strong and clear and deep and rich. Bridge pick up gives you that j bass honk. Passive mode sounds traditional. Active kicks it into high gear and gives you a powerful range of tones.
All in all I’m completely satisfied!
